Method of Game Playing of Forehand Strike

ABSTRACT

A method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention is a game being played on a court having a pair of service areas on each side of a net using a slow bouncing ball and a hand covering and striking the slow bouncing ball with a forehand shot. The method includes bouncing the slow bouncing ball one time and serving a shot diagonally over the net into an opposite service area of player 2 using a palm of a first user&#39;s hand, striking a return shot over the net and into either one of the pair of service areas of the first player, each player continuing to return a subsequent shot across the net and into one of the two service areas of an opposing player after the slow bouncing ball has bounced only once until one of the subsequent shots lands outside both of the service areas of the opposing player, and awarding a point to the player making a last valid shot into one of the service areas of the opposing player. Additionally, each player continues to return a subsequent shot across the net and into one of the two service areas of an opposing player after the slow bouncing ball has bounced only once until one of the subsequent shots lands within one of the service areas of the opposing player and bounces a second time before a next return shot is made and the point is awarded to the player making a last valid shot into one of the service areas of the opposing player.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No.63/179,711, titled “Forhandsy,” and filed on Apr. 26, 2021. The entireapplication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates in general to a method of game playing, andmore specifically, to a method of game playing known as ForehandStrike™.

BACKGROUND

Many individuals and athletes are in need of a safer alternative tocombat sports like Boxing and MMA to get in shape. These individuals,whether adults or kids, desire to play a sport together. By combiningsome aspects of tennis fundamentals, for example the forehand motion andbeing unpredictable with your shot selection, as well as fundamentalsutilized in combat sports, like the necessity to be ambidextrous sinceyou backhand shots are illegal and having great foot work to be inposition, these individuals may find an activity that is mainly a gameof endurance.

Therefore, a need exists for a method of game playing known as ForehandStrike™. The present invention attempts to address the limitations anddeficiencies in prior solutions according to the principles and exampleembodiments disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other problemsare solved by providing a method of game playing known as ForehandStrike™ according to the principles and example embodiments disclosedherein.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a method of game playingknown as Forehand Strike.™ The game is played on a court having a pairof service areas on each side of a net using a slow bouncing ball and ahand covering and striking the slow bouncing ball with a forehand shot.The method includes bouncing the slow bouncing ball one time and servinga shot diagonally over the net into an opposite service area of player 2using a palm of a first user's hand, striking a return shot over the netand into either one of the pair of service areas of the first player,each player continuing to return a subsequent shot across the net andinto one of the two service areas of an opposing player after the slowbouncing ball has bounced only once until one of the subsequent shotslands outside both of the service areas of the opposing player, andawarding a point to the player making a last valid shot into one of theservice areas of the opposing player.

In another aspect of the present invention, each player continues toreturn a subsequent shot across the net and into one of the two serviceareas of an opposing player after the slow bouncing ball has bouncedonly once until one of the subsequent shots lands within one of theservice areas of the opposing player and bounces a second time before anext return shot is made and the point is awarded to the player making alast valid shot into one of the service areas of the opposing player.

In another aspect of the present invention, the method further ends aset of play when a player reaches at least 17 points with a lead of atleast 2 points.

In another aspect of the present invention, the method further ends amatch of play when a player a best number of sets from an odd number ofsets.

In another aspect of the present invention, the best number of sets froman odd number of sets is a best 3 of 5 sets.

In another aspect of the present invention, the best number of sets froman odd number of sets is a best 2 of 3 sets.

In another aspect of the present invention, the opposing player isawarded a point when a serving player does not serve the slow bouncingball over the next and into one of the two service areas of the opposingplayer.

In another aspect of the present invention, the serving player ispermitted to reserve a shot when after bounding once, the serve strikesthe net before landing within one of the two service areas of theopposing player.

In another aspect of the present invention, two players are a team pairof players on each side of the next during a match, either of the twoplayers may hit the slow bouncing ball after one bounce for the returnshot into one of the two service areas of the opposing pair of players.

In another aspect of the present invention, the serving playeralternates between the first player and the second player after aserving player has served two serving shots.

In another aspect of the present invention, the slow bounding ball has adiameter of 120 millimeters and a density of at least 72 kg/m³.

In another aspect of the present invention, the hand covering comprisesa palm covering, a wrist strap coupled to a bottom end of the palmcovering, and one or more finger loops coupled to a top end of the palmcovering.

In another aspect of the present invention, the hand covering has 4finger loops, each of the 4 finger loops being worn on a differentfinger of a player's hand.

In another aspect of the present invention, a player uses a handcovering on each hand to make forehand shots with the slow bouncingball.

In another aspect of the present invention, each of the service areasare 20 feet long from the net to an end line and are 10 feet wide from acenter line adjoining the first service area to a second service area toa sideline of the court.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims. The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of theinvention, both as to its organization and method of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages will be better understood from thefollowing description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, thateach of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only and is not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of court and net arrangementfor a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an article of manufacture worn by players of a methodof game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an article of manufacture used by players of a methodof game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the presentinvention.

FIGS. 4a-b illustrate game shot sequences of a method of game playingknown as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of game shot sequences of a method ofgame playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application relates in general to a method of game playing, andmore specifically, to a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™according to the present invention.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detailwith reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsrepresent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of theinvention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attachedhereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification arenot intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the manypossible embodiments for the claimed invention.

In describing embodiments of the present invention, the followingterminology will be used. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositionalelements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list forconvenience. However, these lists should be construed as though eachmember of the list is individually identified as a separate and uniquemember. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as ade facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based ontheir presentation in a common group without indications to thecontrary. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise.

It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” and “including” specify the presence of stated features,steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, steps or components. It also should be notedthat in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts notedmay occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twofigures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantiallyconcurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,depending upon the functionality and acts involved.

The terms “individual” and “user” refer to an entity, e.g., a human,playing a game of Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention.The term user herein refers to one or more users.

The term “invention” or “present invention” refers to the inventionbeing applied for via the patent application with the title “Method ofGame Playing of Forehand Strike.” Invention may be used interchangeablywith game.

In general, the present disclosure relates to a method of game playingknown as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention. To betterunderstand the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrates an exampleembodiment of court and net arrangement for a method of game playingknown as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention. The gameof Forehand Strike is played on a court 100 similar to a tennis court,on a pickleball court with modified boundaries and net, on an outsidebasketball court with modified boundaries and net, or an individualpavement driveway with modified boundaries and net. The game uses four(4) rectangular in-bounds areas 102 a-d, two in-bounds areas 102 a-b,102 c-d being located on opposite sides of a separating net 105. Thegame is played with 2 players in a preferred embodiment in which aplayer hits the ball from his/her side of the net 105 to the other sideoccupied by an opposing player. A game consists of multiple sets ofpoints, typically, 3, 5, or 7 sets, although any odd number of sets maybe used. The game is played until one of the players has won a majorityof possible sets.

The game is played with 2 or 4 players. A game consists of multiple setsof 3 (for children or beginners or 5 or 7 sets (for advanced players).For example, best of seven sets may end after 4 sets won by the sameplayer or 5 sets with a score of 3-1, and 2 sets with a score of 2-1.There are no 6 sets only odd number sets. Each set is played until aplayer reaches 17 points with a lead of two or more points; otherwisethe set continues until a player gets to a 2 point lead.

A ball 107 as disclosed herein is used and the players may only strikethe ball with a forehand motion using a palm of one of the player's twohands. The ball must bounce in-bounds within a player's side of thecourt 100 before the player may strike a return shot. A return shotfailing to clear the net 105, failing to land in either of the opposingplayer's rectangular court areas 102 a-d, and failing to reach a ballfor a return shot before a second bounce will end play with the playermaking the last in-bound shot earning a point. The set is played untilone of the players reaches 17 points with a lead of two or more points.

The court 100 is configured with each player having a pair of side byside service areas that are 10 feet wide by 20 feet long areas on eachside of the net 105. The net is 20 feet wide and 42 inches tall that ispositioned along a center line of the adjoining player's service areas.The outline of each service area is marked with a straight line placedonto the court that may be painted or a form of tape may be applied tothe court. The lines may be of any color that contrasts with theappearance of the court to allow for easily visual observation of thelanding and bounce of a ball in play. Each of the two service areas 102a-d on each side of the net 105 are marked with a lengthwise centerlinedefining the areas within the service areas on a player's side of thenet 105.

The court 100 is configured with each player having a pair of side byside service areas that are 10 feet wide for doubles, & 20 feet wide forsingles and 20 feet long areas on each area on each side of the net 105.The Width of the tennis net is 20-foot-wide and a height of 42 inches(106.5 cm) at the posts and a height of 36 inches (91.5 cm) in thecenter. The only ball for the game has a diameter of 120 millimeters(mm). The other balls are too big (210 mm) or too small (90 mm) & willnot be used.

The court 100 is bounded by a top end-line 106 a and a bottom end-line106 b on the ends and side-lines 110 a-b on either side. A pair of topservice areas 102 a-b are separated by a top centerline 108 a and a pairof bottom service areas 102 c-d, on an opposite of the net 105, areseparated by a bottom centerline 108 b. The top centerline 108 a and thebottom centerline 108 b meet at the net 105 at a mid-court line 109.

FIG. 2 illustrates a hand covering worn by players of a method of gameplaying known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention. Aplayer wears the hand covering 200 comprising a palm covering 201 fromthe wrist to the base of the fingers. A wrist strap 203 at a bottom endof the palm covering 201 is used to wrap around a player's wrist to holdthe palm covering 201 in place. One or more finger loops 202 a-d, where4 finger loops are shown in FIG. 2, are attached to a top end of thepalm covering 201. A player's fingers are inserted into the finger loops202 a-d with the palm covering oriented over the player's palm. Thewrist strap 203 is then wrapped around the players wrist to secure thepalm covering to the player's hand.

The palm covering 201 is made of flexible neoprene that may bereinforced with a silicon padding in a preferred embodiment. In otherembodiments, other padding material ranges from dense foam to a morerigid plastic or synthetic insert. The wrist strap 203 attaches toitself after wrapping around the player's wrist using an attachmentdevice such as Velcro™, snaps, hooks-and-eyes, and buttons. A player maywear a palm covering on either or both hands as the player must strikethe ball used in the game with either palm in order to make a validshot.

FIG. 3 illustrates an article of manufacture used by players of a methodof game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the presentinvention. A ball 301 is used by the players to play a game of ForehandStrike™; a densely weighted ball that provides a slower playing gamethan other known court games. The ball is made of a dense, non-toxicpolyurethane foam. The ball of a preferred embodiment has a diameter of120 millimeters (mm) with a weight of over 58 grams and a density of atleast 72 kg/m³. The ball provides a slower, lower bounce coupled with alonger time spent in the air to provide a game based more on enduranceof players over their burst speed. Other diameter and correspondingdifferent weighted balls having a similar density also may be used. Thetypical ball has a diameter between 210 mm down to 90 mm.

FIGS. 4a-b illustrate game shot sequences of a method of game playingknown as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention. FIG. 4ashows a sequence of shots making up a single shot sequence leading to apoint for one of the players. The point sequence 300 begins with a firstplayer starting at a location behind a bottom baseline 406 b tounderhand serve 301 a the ball 107 across the net 405 to land at a firstbounce point 411 a in a second top service area 402 b before traveling301 b to a second player at a first return point 312 a.

The first player moves to a second return point 312 b as the ball 107returns 302 a across the net 405 to land at a second bounce point 411 bin a second bottom service area 402 d before reaching 302 b the secondplayer. The first player hits a return shot 303 a across the net 405 toland at a third bounce point 411 c in a first top service area 402 abefore traveling 303 b toward the second player. In this sequence, thesecond player is unable to make another return shot and the sequenceends with the first player earning one (1) point. The sequence of shotsmay continue with an unlimited number of return shots between theplayers until either one of the players is unable to make a return shot.

FIG. 4b shows a similar sequence of shots 301 a-b through 303 a-b inwhich the second player is able to make it to the third return point 413a and attempt a return shot 415 a-b. In this second sequence of shots,the return shot may cross the net to land within the first bottomservice area 402 c or the second bottom service area 402 d (a goodreturn shot not shown) in order for the rally to continue. The returnshot 413 b may also not make it across the net 405 or the return shot413 a may land anywhere outside of the boundaries 406 a-b, 410 a-b ofthe court. In either of the latter two return shots 413 a-b, the pointends, and the first player earns 1 point. When the first player isunable to make a return shot, is unable to hit a return shot across thenet 405 and is unable to hit a return shot that lands within the firstor second top service areas 402 a-b, player two wins 1 point.

Additional rules of the game include:

a) During a serve, if the ball hits the net but still bounces on theopponent's side of the net, the point is a let (which means it needs tobe replayed). If the ball hits the net and doesn't make it to the otherhalf of the court, the receiver is automatically awarded 1 point;

b) During a rally, if the ball hits the net but still bounces on theopponent's side of the court, the rally continues, but if the ball hitsthe net and doesn't make it to the other half of the court, the receiveris automatically awarded 1 point;

c) Players serve two serves each, alternating. A player does not have towin specifically off his/her own serve in order to win a point;

d) Backhands and spikes are not allowed, and the ball has to bounce oncebefore you can return it;

e) When a player is serving, the serving player needs to stand behindthe service area end-line, and the ball needs to bounce once before theplayer hits an underhanded forehanded serve;

the ball must go into the receiving player's diagonal service area box.The receiving player must stand diagonally to receive the serve, andthen can stand wherever he or she deems best as long as the playerremains inside of the service area lines; and

f) During a serve, if the ball hits the net but still bounces on theopponent's side of the court, the point is a let in which the serveneeds to be replayed. If the ball hits the net and does not make it tothe other half of the court, the receiving player is automaticallyawarded 1 point.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of game shot sequences of a method ofgame playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the presentinvention. A shot sequence 500 begins when a first player hits anunderhand serve over the net 405 into a diagonal service area in step511. Test step 512 determines whether or not the shot lands in-bounds,and if so the second player, in step 513 attempts to return a shot backover the net. Test step 514 determines whether or not the second playersuccessfully hits a return shot; and if so, test step 515 determineswhether or not the return shot has landed in-bounds. If test step 515determines the ball bounced in-bounds, the process 500 continues to step516 in which the first player attempts a return shot. Test step 517determines whether or not the first player makes a return shot, and ifso, the process 500 returns to test step 512 to continue a rally.

When test step 512 determines that the first player's shot landed out ofbounds, the second player's score is incremented by 1 point and teststep 523 determines whether or not a player's score has reached at least17 points with a 2 or more point lead. If test step 523 determines thata player's score has reached at least 17 points with a 2 or more pointlead, the process of a set play 500 ends; otherwise, test step 531determines whether or not a current serving player has made two serves.If a serving player has made two serves, step 532 switches the servingplayer to the opposing player and the process 500 continues to step 511to begin another point; otherwise the process continues directly to step511 to start the next point.

Returning to test step 514, when test step 514 determines that thesecond player has not made a return shot, the process 500 increments thefirst player's score in step 522 before proceeding to test step 523 todetermine whether or not the set ends. Returning to test step 515, whentest step 515 determines that the second player's return shot isout-of-bounds, the process 500 once again increments the first player'sscore in step 522 before proceeding to test step 523 to determinewhether or not the set ends.

Returning to test step 517, when test step 517 determines that the firstplayer has not made a return shot, the process 500 increments the secondplayer's score in step 521 before proceeding to test step 523 todetermine whether or not the set ends.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in thepresent application, these combinations are not intended to limit thedisclosure of the invention. In fact, many of these features may becombined in ways not specifically recited in this application. In otherwords, any of the features mentioned in this application may be includedin this new invention in any combination or combinations to allow thefunctionality required for the desired operations.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application shouldbe construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitlydescribed as such. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean“based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of game playing known as ForehandStrike™, the game being played on a court having a pair of service areason each side of a net using a slow bouncing ball and a hand covering andstriking the slow bouncing ball with a forehand shot, the methodcomprising: bouncing the slow bouncing ball one time and serving a shotdiagonally over the net into an opposite service area of player 2 usinga palm of a first user's hand; striking a return shot over the net andinto either one of the pair of service areas of the first player; eachplayer continuing to return a subsequent shot across the net and intoone of the two service areas of an opposing player after the slowbouncing ball has bounced only once until one of the subsequent shotslands outside both of the service areas of the opposing player; andawarding a point to the player making a last valid shot into one of theservice areas of the opposing player.
 2. The method according to claim1, wherein the method further comprising: each player continuing toreturn a subsequent shot across the net and into one of the two serviceareas of an opposing player after the slow bouncing ball has bouncedonly once until one of the subsequent shots lands within one of theservice areas of the opposing player and bounces a second time before anext return shot is made; and awarding a point to the player making alast valid shot into one of the service areas of the opposing player. 3.The method according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprising:ending a set of play when a player reaches at least 17 points with alead of at least 2 points.
 4. The method according to claim 3, whereinthe method further comprising: ending a match of play when a player abest number of sets from an odd number of sets.
 5. The method accordingto claim 4, wherein the best number of sets from an odd number of setsis a best 3 of 5 sets.
 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein thebest number of sets from an odd number of sets is a best 2 of 3 sets. 7.The method according to claim 2, wherein the opposing player is awardeda point when a serving player does not serve the slow bouncing ball overthe next and into one of the two service areas of the opposing player.8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the serving player ispermitted to reserve a shot when after bounding once, the serve strikesthe net before landing within one of the two service areas of theopposing player.
 9. The method according to claim 2, wherein two playersare a team pair of players on each side of the next during a match,either of the two players may hit the slow bouncing ball after onebounce for the return shot into one of the two service areas of theopposing pair of players.
 10. The method according to claim 2, whereinthe serving player alternates between the first player and the secondplayer after a serving player has served two serving shots.
 11. Themethod according to claim 2, wherein the slow bounding ball has adiameter of 120 millimeters and a density of at least 72 kg/m³.
 12. Themethod according to claim 2, wherein the hand covering comprises a palmcovering, a wrist strap coupled to a bottom end of the palm covering,and one or more finger loops coupled to a top end of the palm covering.13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the hand covering has 4finger loops, each of the 4 finger loops being worn on a differentfinger of a player's hand.
 14. The method according to claim 2, whereina player uses a hand covering on each hand to make forehand shots withthe slow bouncing ball.
 15. The method according to claim 2, whereineach of the service areas are 20 feet long from the net to an end lineand are 10 feet wide from a center line adjoining the first service areato a second service area to a sideline of the court.